Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital’s Blog

Training your cat, what?!

The concept of teaching cats house rules may seem like a pipe dream or the stuff memes are made of. After all, cats do what they want, when they want… right? 

People have varied opinions about cats that give way to myths, like cats are loners or cannot be trained. This prohibits them from learning good behaviors and bonding better with their owners.

The good news is that training your cat with a clicker is not only possible, it is also a great way to give your pet a better, safer, and more enjoyable life.

The team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is here to tell you all about this effective training and why it will benefit your meowy companion.

Separation anxiety is a common behavioral problem in dogs. At Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital we have coached many dog owners through training techniques, outlined crate acclimation, and even prescribed medications to combat separation anxiety. 

But surely this problem affects cats, too? 

Despite their often confident demeanor and rap for being loners, separation anxiety in cats is a real phenomenon and one that perhaps often goes undiagnosed. With a little awareness, though, we can help these stressed, anxious kitties as well.

Recognizing Trouble

You may think of your cat as a solitary individual, but if you stop to consider it you will likely realize that your pet is a pretty social creature. Many cats develop strong bonds with the people and other animals they live among. 

When we talk about separation anxiety in pets, we are referring to an emotional response from them brought about by a separation from the person or animal that they have a bond with. This may occur when you are gone for a prolonged period, such as on a vacation or a full workday or sometimes even with shorter outings like a trip to the store. Schedule changes can also bring on separation anxiety.

In the canine crew, separation anxiety is often hallmarked by howling, tearing things up, and sometimes urinating or defecating even though house-trained. Cats, as with so many other things, are often more subtle. 

Signs of separation anxiety in cats may include:

• Increase in anxiety as person prepares to leave the home
• Excessive vocalization
• Urinating or defecating in odd areas, often on personal items
• Vomiting
• Changes in eating habits
• Grooming excessively
• Destroying objects
• Obvious excitement upon reunion 

Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Cats

If you think that your cat may be suffering from separation anxiety, the first step is to make an appointment to see us. Many other things can cause inappropriate urination, increased vocalizations, vomiting, changes in eating habits, or increased grooming. We need to be sure that there is not an underlying physical illness before assuming a behavioral cause. 

Once we have determined that your cat is healthy, we can get to work. Separation anxiety in cats can be combated with strategies to modify behavior and decrease the stress associated with your absence. 

Planning playtime – A set schedule helps most cats. Be sure to schedule a predictable 10-15 minute session of quality time into your day. Limit play and other social activities about 20 minutes before you leave home so the transition is less dramatic. 

Enriching the environment – Making the environment fun and stimulating even in your absence is key. Ditch the food bowls in favor of puzzle feeders and treat dispensers. Rotate toys, put up a bird feeder in front of the window, and add vertical climbing spaces to your home. 

Changing your tune – Be sure to avoid making a big deal of leaving or returning. Slip out quietly while kitty is eating or playing and return without a lot of fanfare. Notice what actions trigger an anxious response in your cat. If, every time you pick up your keys, Tiger starts meowing, do it over and over until that action gets less of a response.

Take help – There are many products and services that exist that can help you combat this problem in your cat. Using pheromone products like Feliway can be helpful for some cats. Consider a pet sitter to stop by and interact with your cat when you are away. In situations where basic behavioral modifications are not enough, you may even need to work with our doctors to utilize anxiety-reducing medications. 

Cats are just as much a part of our family and home as are dogs, and separation anxiety in cats is a real thing. Despite their tough exterior, our feline friends really do love us. It is our job to recognize signs of anxiety and reduce their stress. After all, that’s what friends are for. 

Has your dog suddenly stopped playing with his beloved stuffed monkey? Has your normally hungry-all-the-time kitty been turning her nose up at her meals? If you’ve noticed a change in your pet’s normal behavior or patterns (and you’ve ruled out underlying medical reasons), you may have a case of pet depression on your hands.

There are many possible causes of pet depression, but a new study has revealed that the little supercomputer in your pocket (or in your hand, more likely) may be the cause. 

The Thanksgiving season is a time to pause and give thanks for all of the blessings and joy. Our family members and loved ones are up on that list, and of course, our wonderful pet companions. 

Pets bring so many positives to our lives, it’s hard to only list a few. But since Thanksgiving isn’t Thanksgiving without giving thanks where thanks is due, the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital is here to show some love to our furry ones.

10 Wonderful Reasons to Give Thanks for Pets

For pet owners, trying to decipher what their furry family member is communicating is a daily part of life with pets. Cats can be especially challenging, though, given their more reclusive nature.

Cat language is subtle, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t constantly trying to communicate with us. With a little bit of practice, you can pick up on what your cat is trying to tell you.

The Incredible Tail

The tail is one of the most expressive body parts on a cat, and knowing how to interpret its movements can tell you a great deal about what your cat is thinking and feeling at any given moment.

TV shows and commercials aren’t geared toward pets, but that doesn’t mean they don’t watch TV. Many pets glance at the screen, react to the sights and sounds of animals on TV, and may even become as captivated by the latest Netflix series as we are. But when pets watch TV, do they understand what they see or are they merely attracted by all the bright lights and moving pictures?

The holidays are long-gone, but that doesn’t mean seasonal liberation is on the horizon. Instead, we must endure short, overcast, chilly days until the trees and flowers begin to bloom in 2-3 months.

Like kids, pets can start to feel a bit antsy this time of year. Luckily, there are some worthwhile winter pet activities to keep their paws moving and minds working.

Few things can ruin a holiday meal or celebration faster than a pet emergency, and easy access to the many foods, decorations, and other potentially dangerous seasonal items can put your pet at risk this time of year. That’s why the team at Rocklin Ranch Veterinary Hospital has put together some helpful tips for holiday pet safety.

Too Many Temptations

Big meals and gatherings centered on food are a given during the holidays. This also means food-related pet emergencies are common this time of year. While it can be easy to slack off when it comes to supervising your pet around people food, it’s important to make sure all food is kept out of reach and stored securely. Also double check that garbage bins are covered to prevent any post-meal snacking.

Resist the temptation to feed your pet table scraps, and ask your guests to do the same. Even small amounts of fatty or greasy food can lead to a dangerous and painful condition called pancreatitis.

Cats are naturally curious – we all know that! And it is true that indoor cats are safer and live longer lives than their outdoor counterparts. After all, they don’t have to contend with predators, cars, or other cat-induced injuries. However, how do we make sure that our feline friend doesn’t pine away at the door, wishing for freedom?

Enter: environmental enrichment for cats. This buzzword has become the term most associated with how to help your cat find stimulation and entertainment indoors. And, there are a plethora of ideas! We’ve decided to share some of our favorites.

Basic Instincts

Cats have certain innate and natural instincts that they need to pursue if they are going to be truly healthy and happy. These include hunting, surveying territory from a perch, scratching, and climbing. When in the wild (or outdoors), cats have many opportunities to exercise these behaviors. Indoors, it’s our job to mimic the conditions that cats need so they can practice these natural instincts in the safety of their home. Continue…

Service animals are absolutely, 100%, hands-down amazing. With a calm, cool reserve, they perform tasks for their handlers that range from the mundane (picking up the newspaper) to critical (seeking help during a seizure). Highly-trained, perfectly agreeable, intelligent, and extremely focused, service animals help thousands of people every day around the world.

However, despite the estimated 50,000 Americans who rely on service animals, there’s a startling lack of knowledge regarding their significance. Their ease of access to buildings and areas has resulted in the misrepresentation of other domestic pets as service animals. Unfortunately, fake service animals threaten the viability of legitimate ones and place handlers at risk. Continue…